Czech government approves SOFA Agreement

The government has approved the Czech-American Status of Forces (SOFA) Agreement which provides a legal framework for US soldiers on Czech soil. Defence Minister Vlasta Parkanová made the announcement to journalists on Wednesday, adding that the treaty is now ready for US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates to sign in London on September 19. The SOFA agreement lays down the terms by which US soldiers would operate at a proposed radar base in Brdy, Central Bohemia. Negotiations on the agreement’s wording have taken months longer than originally expected due to clauses on American soldiers’ tax status.

Author: Rosie Johnston